Hotman Paris Urges West Java Police to Investigate Boarding House Owner and Guard After Suspect's Arrest

Prominent lawyer Hotman Paris Hutapea has spoken out regarding the arrest of Taufik Hidayat, the suspected perpetrator in the confinement and abuse of a woman in Bandung. Taufik was apprehended by police in the Majalaya area, West Java, after a brief period on the run.

Hotman is urging the West Java Regional Police to immediately investigate the owner and the guard of the boarding house where the victim was allegedly held captive. He argued that given the small size of the accommodation and the fact the abuse reportedly lasted for about three years, it is implausible that the owner and guard were unaware of the violence and confinement.

“It is impossible for them not to know what was happening. The boarding house is small, any abuse would have been visible,” Hotman stated, as quoted from his personal Instagram account on Tuesday, 23 June 2026.

He further referenced criminal law provisions stating that parties who are aware of a crime but fail to take preventive action can also be held legally accountable. He believes the boarding house guard is the most likely party to have known about the conditions at the location. Hotman added that the reportedly cramped and unkempt condition of the boarding house provides strong grounds for a thorough investigation. He stressed that the legal process should not stop at the main perpetrator but should also include those who allegedly allowed the incident to continue. He concluded by urging law enforcement to apply the relevant rules regarding the omission to prevent a crime, so that all involved or negligent parties can be processed according to the law.